Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Quadros 2: Chromeo, Aloe Blacc, Gayngs, Smith Westerns

Chromeo

Chromeo is the definition of cool. You know that one friend who has family in show biz, or knows a lot of famous people, or is really good at making up stories, or is so crazy they do off the wall things? You know how for some stupid reason, you feel really cool hanging out with that person? That is what seeing Chromeo is like, you just feel cool, and not in a hipster sort of way.

A not so brief review of my introduction to Chromeo; I was at some no name awkward warehouse type venue drinking Sparks (that caffeine/alcohol horrible drink) with two wasted friends. We were closing out our tabs right when Chromeo took the stage, with one friend running out the door. My remaining buddy said, "come on, let's get out of here," but I told him I wanted to check out a song or two first. About 60 seconds later, he was puking in a trash can, but soon after, he yells, "these guys are awesome!" We were raging on the dance floor for the rest of their set. Their name was still unknown to me until six months later when I saw their album in the new release section at Everyday Music. They were easy to spot based on the album cover.

I'm glad they are playing the main stage during the day. They deserve it. They don't need, nor do they have much of a light show. There will be many main stage campers leaving the festival huge Chromeo fans, and I'm talking about the people who have never heard of them. You will be chanting along with thousands of others at the beginning of their set, I guarantee it.

This dude sounds just like Bill Withers, especially on the song, "I Need A Dollar." Even the background lyric of "hey hey," is Bill Withers' style. So who is Bill Withers? He sang, "Lean on Me," and "Ain't No Sunshine." It's old school soul/R&B. Aloe Blacc's style is similar on his latest album Good Things, however his first album, Shine Through, is all over the place. It has the Soul/R&B aspect, but he also raps, and has tracks that would be classified as world beats or Latin music. He even sings in Spanish on a couple songs, complete with horns and bongos. It sounds like he was trying to find his style, before realizing his soulful voice is his greatest asset.

There a couple handfuls of bands/acts on the Sasquatch lineup I knew nothing about three weeks ago, and having listened to most of them since, Aloe Blacc stands out as one of my favorites. Then again, I dig soul/R&B, and Bill Withers. All the tracks listed below are on his most recent album, Good Things. This album is more of what you should expect during his Sasquatch performance, but don't be surprised if he starts rapping, or sings a song in Spanish.

Suggested Tracks:1. Femme Fatale (it is unlike me to place a remake of a classic as the top track, but he makes this version of the Velvet Underground classic his own).2. I Need A Dollar3. Life So Hard (he sounds like Curtis Mayfield at the beginning of this song).4. Hey Brother (sounds like a song straight out of a Shaft movie).5. You Make Me Smile

Gayngs

Relayted, their debut album, was my 50th favorite album of 2010. Read my opinions on the band and that album here. It is important to point out there are 20+ musicians who contributed to that album, and one is Bon Iver's Justin Vernon. Who knows how many of those musicians will be at Sasquatch? It was really hard to come up with a list of top songs, because the album is so diverse in styles, which should be expected with so many contributing musicians.

Suggested Tracks:1. Cry (another remake, but the original is obscure)2. No Sweat3. Gaudy Side of Town4. Spanish Platinum

Smith Westerns

Listening to their self-titled debut didn't exactly having me calling home. It's sloppy, European type rock with a decent dose of punk. They recently released Dye It Blonde, which is getting great reviews by seemingly everyone. The album isn't quiet worth the critic acclaim it is getting, in my opinion, but it is MUCH sharper than their debut. Their slightly high pitched fuzzy guitar sound appearing on most of their newer songs is a tribute to their developing sound. I could pick that guitar sound out of a lineup.

Suggested Tracks:1. Dye The World (easily my favorite)2. Smile (catchy chorus)3. Weekend4. Only One (probably their most Beatles sounding tune)

Other favorite songs, other recommendations, other live experiences, post them in the comments section.

"Needy Girl" was probably my next favorite. I don't think "Mama's Boy" is a good Chromeo intro song, because it is cheezy as hell. I was never a fan of "Don't Turn The Lights On." It's catchy though, so thanks for posting your favorites.

its his own blog. its not like anyone is paying him to put forth the mass amount of effort that he has to give everyone this information for nothing in exchange. i'm pretty sure he's entitled to say whatever he wants.